China sets world record for quantum secure communication
A team of Chinese quantum scientists has sent two encrypted photos via a satellite connection.
Published on March 25, 2025
Team IO+ selects and features the most important news stories on innovation and technology, carefully curated by our editors.
China is taking a new step in the global race towards a fully secure internet. A team of Chinese quantum scientists sent two encrypted photos via a satellite connection between Jinan, China, and the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Covering a distance of 12,900 kilometers, this is a new world record for quantum-secured communication via satellites.
According to a recent publication in the leading scientific journal Nature, this experiment surpasses the previous record of 1,100 kilometers, which was set five years ago by the same Chinese team. At the time, it was already clear that China had a head start on the West in the development of quantum communication.
2027: millions of users
China aims to offer a commercial service for secure satellite connections by 2027, aimed at millions of users. Their lightweight, mass-produced satellites and associated ground equipment give the country a significant technological and industrial advantage.
The only effective security method
Quantum encryption is seen as the only security method that can withstand future quantum computers, which are expected to be able to break through traditional encryption. That is why China and the European Union invest in quantum communication. In quantum communication, the sender and receiver exchange unique encryption keys that cannot be intercepted, not even by quantum computers.
Developments in Europe
China seems to be leading the way. However, the European Union is also investing in the SAGA (Security And Global Access) satellite system, an initiative to set up a secure quantum communication network within Europe. Within this project, the EU is working together with various member states and research institutions to integrate technologies such as quantum key distribution (QKD) into the European communication network. In addition to the development of satellites, SAGA also includes the construction of a terrestrial quantum network, so that both space- and ground-based infrastructure can be used for secure communication.
